Great Ohio River Paddle
Through-paddler trip details
Registration Deadline: September 1
Register early for discount! (see details below)
For Weekend Paddler Details click here
The Great Ohio River Paddle 2006 (GORP 2006) will be held Friday, September 8 to Monday, September 11, 2006. The four days of GORP 2006 will begin in Maysville, Kentucky and end in Cincinnati, OH. Paddlers will stop each day at different sites. Along the way, naturalists, biologists, scientists, and local historians will share their knowledge and experiences. Many have intimate knowledge and up-to-date information about their areas of expertise. You'll experience what it's like to lock through a shipping lock that calmly lowers you more than 20 feet in a few minutes. Come explore, learn, and have fun!
Camping and Amenities
GORP arranges all camping and amenities for paddlers. Campsite locations and types vary from county, city, and private developed and undeveloped parks. Amenities at each campground include public restrooms, hand-washing stations, showers at two locations, and trash receptacles. Some form of presentation or entertainment will take place each night. At some stops, opportunities will exist for you to go into towns to make any necessary purchases or phone calls.
Food
Breakfast, snack lunch, and dinner will be provided for you throughout the trip; starting with morning refreshments on Friday and ending with snack lunch on Monday. Breakfast and dinner will be served buffet-style, with a variety of delicious items to choose from. There will be both meat and vegetarian options.
Itinerary (click on town names for specific site information)
| Date | Travel Between | Mileage |
| Friday, September 8 | Maysville, KY to Ripley, OH | 9 |
| Saturday, September 9 | Ripley, OH to Chilo, OH | 14 |
| Sunday, September 10 | Chilo, OH to New Richmond, OH (Meldahl Locks) | 15 |
| Monday, September 11 | New Richmond, OH to Cincinnati, OH | 14 |
| Total Distance Covered | 52 |
A Typical Day
Stage start times may vary depending upon length of paddle and schedule of events. Generally, days will begin with breakfast, break camp, pack boats, and daily safety briefing.
Once on the water, we will paddle an average of 13 miles per day. The longest day will be approximately 15 miles. The shortest day will be around 9 miles.
A lunch break will be held around midday depending upon availability of landing sites. Lunch may be early or delayed if especially good time is being made. Side trips into marshes or tributaries are also possibilities.
At the end of a stage, if applicable for that specific stage, each person may set up camp (unless lodging is an option for that stage) on his or her time schedule, but all camps should be set up prior to dinner. There will be time to enjoy community events and exhibits, enjoy the river or the host community, call home, or just relax. Some dinners will be hosted by the local community and in the evening there will be opportunities to talk about the day, learn about our fellow paddlers and chat about our experience with any interested folks.
Weekend paddlers will join the through-paddlers on Saturday and continue down-river with the larger group, finishing their experience on Sunday.
On Sunday, you'll experience what it's like to lock through a lock at the Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks & Dam that calmly lowers you more than 20 feet in a few minutes. Experience the river as few people have or ever will!
Transportation, Parking, Shuttle options
You can either arrange your own transportation to be dropped-off at the put-in and picked-up at the take-out. Or you can park a vehicle at both locations. GORP will provide paddler shuttle service back to the point of origin (Maysville) - a 90 minute ride. A separate gear and boat shuttle is available for $40, per boat. If you do not choose the gear/boat shuttle option we will watch over your gear and boat until you return with your vehicle. If necessary, a transportation request should be made at the time of registration.
If you are interested in this option, be sure to fill out the parking and shuttle section on the registration form. While we believe that the parking at these locations is relatively safe, we cannot guarantee the security of your vehicle for the 4 days. Please do not plan to leave any valuables in your car.
Detailed directions, maps and exact meeting times will be provided to registered participants.
Prior Experience and Other Important Information
Paddlers must have some prior paddling experience on moving water within the last 2 years (not beginners) and camping experience. Commercial ships and tug and barge combinations will be sharing the river with us, along with numerous large pleasure craft. We will avoid the shipping channel at all times, except for scheduled channel crossings. You should be able to handle modest waves and wakes (less than two feet), be able to paddle into a strong head wind for the day and be able to perform self and assisted rescues as the victim or the rescuer (we'll teach you, if necessary). You can expect four to five hours of paddling each day.
Equipment
Paddling boats of the recommended minimum lengths will make it easier for you to paddle the long distances and help keep the group together. Boats lengths recommended for through-paddling: at least 12 feet long (single or two-person kayaks), and at least 14 feet long for canoes. All paddlers are expected to carry their own safety gear and, in the event of unforeseen delays or for moonlight paddling, should be prepared to paddle at night by carrying federal legal navigation lighting (We haven't had the delay issue, but we've had some spectacular moonlight paddles!). You must provide your own kayak or canoe and paddling and camping gear. A suggested list of items can be found on the Gear Checklist.
Requirements for Participants 17 and under
Minors need to paddle with an adult in their boat, have the ability to swim and had wet rescue training or experience. Any minor that can't paddle needs to have 2 adults in their boat.
If you have questions about any requirements, give us a call (or e-mail) and we will be happy to talk to you about whether or not your experience is adequate or a class is appropriate.
Through-Paddler Ground Transportation
Cost
4-Day Through-Paddle: $200
Fee includes: Delicious meals, camp-site fees and arrangements, insights from naturalists and historians, baggage shuttle, showers for two nights, safety paddlers/guides, paddler shuttle, a Great Ohio River Paddle t-shirt, drinking water, snacks, and all the logistical details handled by GORP.
DISCOUNTS
REGISTER BEFORE June 1st : $150
OR
August 1st: $175
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$15 additional discount for ORF members
If you have questions, please see the contact information page.
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